Suction cleaner with converter facility



Oct 1955 G. A. BRACE SUCTION CLEANER WITH CONVERTER FACILITY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 28, 1949 INVENTOH.

ealye A, flraee BY ATTORNEY.

Oct. 4, 1955 G. A. BRACE 2,719,317

SUCTION CLEANER WITH CONVERTER FACILITY Filed Sept. 28, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. fiealye/l, Brace BY W 5; mad/241 ATTORNEY.

Oct. 4, G. BRACE SUCTION CLEANER WITH CONVERTER FACILITY Filed Sept. 28, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N VE N TOR beorye A, Brave BY 5M ATTORNEY.

SUCTION CLEANER WITH CONVERTER FACILITY George A. Brace, Highland Park, Ill., assignor to l he Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application September 28, 1949, Serial No. 118,255

3 Claims. (Cl. 15-332) The present invention relates to suction cleaners and more particularly to a device for disconnecting the agitator belt prior to converting to the use of dusting tools.

When converting suction cleaners with power driven agitators to use with dusting tools according to prior practice it has been necessary to resort to one of three irksome and unsatisfactory expedients, namely: (1) to remove and later replace the agitator belt by hand, (2) employ a converter tool which straddles the belt or the pulley shaft, or (3) resort to complex and costly belt lifters. Eachof these practices involves numerous disadvantages.

As respects the first, the operator risks injury to the hand and fingers in attempting to remove and replace the belt. The belt is almost certain to become misplaced on the agitator during the use of the dusting tools. It must also be replaced in the proper manner to avoid being thrown from the pulley upon starting of the motor. Slotted converters which straddle the belt cannot be sealed properly resulting in greatly decreased efiiciency when using dusting tools. Moreover, the agitator remains in operation with the likelihood of damage to the carpet. Another disadvantage is the fact that the belt obstructs the air stream and collects dirt to block the air flow. The third type of converter is subject to the same shortcomings just noted with respect to the second type and others such as mechanical complexity, and high construction and maintenance costs.

The present invention, on the other hand, provides a simple and highly effective means by which an unskilled operator can remove the belt when converting and thereafter replace it on the pulley speedily and with certainty and assurance that the cleaner will operate with the highest efficiency both for on-the-floor and off-the-floor cleaning. When converted to dusting tools, the belt is held captive entirely outside the air stream. The agitator is disconnected from the motor thereby avoiding the possibility of damage to the carpet. No air seals around the belt are required and the belt cannot obstruct the air flow or act as a dirt trap.

It is an object of the invention to provide a belt disconnect for the agitator of a suction cleaner of unique and simple design presenting many advantageous features over arrangements heretofore proposed.

Another object is the provision of a belt disconnect by which the operator can remove and replace the belt from the motor pulley in a simple operation which is fool-proof and straightforward.

Still another object is the provision of a disconnect which removes the belt entirely to one side of the dusting tool air stream and which holds the belt captive at all times while it is off the motor pulley.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a belt disconnect of simple design which is mounted on the cleaner itself rather than on the converter tool. Another feature is the fact that the disconnect is constructed as an accessory which may be mounted on a cleaner upon the purchase of dusting tools thereby avoidnited States Patent ICC ing taxing unnecessary costs to the purchaser of a cleaner not wishing dusting tools.

A more specific object is the provision of a belt disconnect mounted on the converter cover plate. Another object is a unique arrangement for assuring operation of the disconnect in the proper sequence as well as for preventing closure of the converter cover until the belt has been replaced properly.

A further object is the provision of means for holding the belt captive and yet relaxed when employing dusting tools.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view, partly broken away, of a suction cleaner provided with one embodiment of the invention and showing the belt on the motor pulley;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front View looking into the converter opening;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side view of a suction cleaner showing the belt removed and held captive and the converter in place;

Figure 4 illustrates the lost motion connection between the belt hook and the supporting shaft;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a modified construction for guiding the belt hooks in removing and replacing the belt on the motor pulley;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view of another modification showing the belt disconnect mounted on the converter cover;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the belt removed from the motor pulley and a converter in place; and

Figure 8 is a view of the converter cover removed from the cleaner body. The full lines show the belt disconnect in inoperative position while the dotted lines show the hooks in belt supporting position and the inter-lock between the cover and the cleaner in open position.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figures 1 to 4 comprises a body 10 provided with a nozzle 11, a fan chamber 12 and a motor housing 13, on which a handle 14 is pivotally mounted for propelling the cleaner on wheels 15 and 16. A suction air passageway 18 extends from the nozzle mouth 19 to a fan eye and converter port 20 of the fan chamber 12. Mounted in the motor housing 13 is an unshown motor for driving a suction fan 22. The motor shaft extends through the port 20 into the air passageway 18 and carries pulley 23 on its outer end. Rotatably mounted on nozzle 11 is an agitator 24 driven by a belt 25 connected to motor pulley 23. A belt guard 26 spans the nozzle mouth 19 to prevent the belt 25 contacting the floor covering. In the nozzle front wall 21 opposite the port 20 is an opening 27 which is normally closed by a removable cover 28.

The belt disconnect comprises a horizontally disposed shaft 31 the ends of which are normally disposed in oppositely facing channels 32 located at either side of converter opening 27. Channels 32 are formed in part by the nozzle casting and are covered by strips 33 held in place by screws 34. As made clear by Figure 2, when viewed from the front, it will be noted that channels 32 are inclined upwardly to the right for a purpose which becomes apparent hereinbelow.

Rigidly connected near the ends of shaft 31 are guide members 35 having notches 36 to receive the facing edges of strips 33.

The upper ends of channels 32 curve upwardly at 37 opposite openings 38 in strips 33 to permit free passage of shaft 31 to and from channels 32. Tabs 39 project toward one another from strips 33 at a point just below openings 38. These tabs engage guide members 35 adjacent notches 36 and serve to limit upward movement of shaft 31 as well as to prevent guide members 35 from runnin off strips 33, through openings 38.

A pair of belt lifting hooks 40 are pivotally mounted on shaft 31 and are each provided with a lost motion connection therewith comprising an arcuate notch 41, the opposite ends of which abut keys 42 fixed to shaft 31. Belt hooks 40 are in the form of hell cranks having belt engaging arms 43 and shorter arms 44 to which the bail ends of an operating handle 45 are pivoted. Hooks 40 are normally held against the Opposite ends of an abutment 46 on shaft 31 by means of torsion springs 47. These springs urge the belt hooks clockwise, as viewed in Figure l, to maintain the belt hooks out of the air passageway 18 and within the marginal flange 48 of the converter port.

The ends of a tension spring 49 are attached to guide members 35, while its mid-portion 50 is secured to the inner side of front wall 21 below opening 27. This spring functions to urge shaft 31 downwardly to the position shown in Figure 2.

Operation When it is desired to convert to dusting tools, cover 28 is removed exposing the belt disconnect. The operator grasps handle 45 and lifts it vertically. Initial upward movement pivots belt hooks 40 counterclockwise so that arms .43 are disposed horizontally between the runs of the belt in opposition to torsion springs 47. Rotation of the hooks is limited by keys 42 on shaft 31.

Increasing the lifting force on handle 45 carries shaft 31 upwardly in channels 32 increasing the tension on spring 49. As noted above, channels 32 are inclined to the right as viewed in Figure 2 to aid in directing the hooks 40 between the belt runs and to carry the hooks into position beneath pulley 23. Abutment 46 prevents the belt from forcing the hooks too closely together, while springs 47 permit the hooks to move apart along the shaft as they are pulled upwardly past the pulley. As shown in the drawings, the ends of the hooks are shaped to aid in by-passing the pulley as well as to hold the belt against displacement from the hooks.

As the belt is lifted from the pulley, the ends of .shaft 31 emerge from guide channels 32 through openings 38. Guide members 35 are prevented from running off the guide strips by engagement with tabs 39. The operator then pulls handle 45 outwardly slightly, carrying the belt beyond the end of the pulley. The operator then permits the shaft to move downwardly to the position shown in Figure 3, wherein its ends rest on the outer surfaces of guide strips 33. As the handle ,45 falls against the front of the nozzle, torsion springs 47 rotate hooks 40 clock wise to hold the belt captive in a relaxed condition. Converter 51 can now be connected to fan eye 20 in any suitable air-tight manner and coupled to a flexible hose 52 and cleaning tools.

To replace the belt on the pulley, the operator first removes the converter and then lifts handle 45 upwardly swinging the ends of shaft 31 into openings 38 whereupon the belt is replaced upon the pulley as spring 49 returns the disconnecting mechanism to its original positron of rest. It will be clear that throughout the removal and replacement operation, guides 35 slide or pivot on strips 33 and serve to keep the disconnect in place on the cleaner while permitting limited swinging of shaft 31 for the purpose of clearing the outer end of the pulley as the belt is removed or replaced. When the operator releases his grasp of handle 45, springs 47 rotate the hooks to the position shown in Figure l, and spring 49 holds the mechanism against displacement until it is again desired to remove the belt. After handle 45 is brought to rest on strips 33, the cover plate is replaced restoring the cleaner to duty for on-the-floor cleaning.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figure is similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 4 except for the provision of cam-forming surfaces 53 secured to the outer :face of strips 33 just below openings 38. The lower end of each cam 53 is provided with a marginal slot for passage of the guide members 35 to contact the upper end of each cam 53 which limit movement of the guide members 35 in a manner similar to the tabs 39 described in connection with Figure 2. Cams 53 serve to swing shaft 31 outwardly beyond the end of pulley 23 both during removal and replacement of the belt. Accordingly, the operator need but lift and lower handle to operate the disconnect. No other or special manipulation is required. It will therefore be obvious that this embodiment operates in the same manner as the first described embodiment except that cams 53 insure that shaft 31 carrying the belt hooks is pivoted outwardly beyond the end of the pulley as the belt is lifted from the pulley or raised for replacement thereon thereby eliminating the necessity for manipulating skill on the part of the operator.

In both of the foregoing embodiments the belt lifting device may be sold as an accessory and attached to the cleaner only when and if dusting tools are purchased.

Another embodiment of the invention is disclosed in Figures 6 .to 8 wherein parts similar to those of the first embodiment hear the same reference characters distinguished by a prime. Converter port 27' is normally closed by a cover 54 hinged at 55 to front wall 21 of the nozzle immediately below the port. The belt disconnect is mounted entirely on theinside wall of the cover as best shown in Figure 8.

The belt disconnect comprises a generally rectangularly shaped stitf wir'ehaving a handle portion 56, spaced side members 57, 57 and lower belt hook portions 58, 58. Hooks 58 are spaced apart to permit by-passage of pulley 23 when removing or replacing belt 25'. A tension spring 59 is connected between hooks 58 and the bottom of a .dirt shroud 60 secured to cover 54.

Side members 57 are slidably supported on the cover by flanged strips 61 secured to .the inside wall of the cover. A pair of projections v62 cast integral with the upper edge of .the converter port 27 have notches 63 in which the upper portions of side members 57 operate. From Figure'S, it will be noted that the lower ends of members 57 are" off-"setlaterally from the upper ends to provide'shoulders '64, .64. These shoulders are so located as to lockcover 5.4 closed until the belt has been lifted from the'pulley and thereafter to unlock the cover so that it may be swun'g outwardly and downwardly. The upper sides of shoulders 64 abut the under side of flange 65 to limit upward'movement of the belt disconnect as is indicated by the dotted line showing in Figure 8. Cover flange 65 is depressed at 66 to provide a recess for the operators fingers to grasp handle 56 when it is desired .to convert the cleaner to off-the-fioor operation. i i

Referring to Figure .8 it will be noted that guide strips 61 are inclined with respect to the vertical edges 67 of cover 54 ffor the same purpose as described above in connection with channels 32, namely, to guide the belt hooks between the belt runs when removing it.

Operation When it is desired to .clean with dusting tools, the operator inserts his fingers into recess 66 and grasps handle .56. As handle 56 is moved upwardly in opposition to spring .59, .belt hooks 58 are carried between the belt runs and "to either'side of pulley 23 picking up the belt. By the time the belt has'been lifted, shoulders 64 have passed beyond notches 63 in locking projections .62 to unlock cover 54 permitting it to be swung downwardly about hinge 55 to the position shown in Figure 7. Further upward movement of the handle is prevented by shoulders 64 abutting the flange 65 on cover 54. As the handle is released, spring 59 lowers the belt hooks .to relax the tension .on the agitator belt. However, the belt remains under suflicient tension to insure its being retained on the belt hooks in readiness for replacement on the pulley. This slight tension also serves to hold the converter cover against the under side of suction hose 52 thereby greatly reducing the likelihood of damage to the cover during use of the cleaner. Converter 51' and suitable cleaning tools are then attached to fan eye 20' and the cleaner is ready for offthe-fioor cleaning.

When it is desired to re-convert the cleaner to onthe-floor use, converter 51' is removed whereupon handle 56 is grasped by the operator and elevated until shoulders 64 abut flange 65. The cover 54 is then moved to its closed position and handle 56 is released dropping the belt onto pulley 23'. Spring 59 returns the disconnect to its normal inactive position and, in so doing, portions 57 engage notches 63 automatically locking cover 54 closed.

While I have shown and described three embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that these embodiments are to be taken as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. I do not wish to be limited to the particular structures shown and described, but to include all equivalent variations thereof except as limited by the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A suction cleaner comprising a body, a nozzle in said body, suction creating means in said body, an air passageway between said nozzle and suction creating means, means defining a port in said air passageway for connecting a converter to said suction creating means, surface agitating means movably mounted in said nozzle, a pulley, a belt in said air passageway connecting said pulley and agitating means, a motor driving said pulley and said suction creating means, manually operated hook means having a relaxed belt supporting position between said pulley and agitator and a belt lifting position farther from said agitator, resilient means biasing said hook means to its said relaxed belt supporting position, guide means for bodily displacement of said hook means transversely of said pulley from said belt relaxed position to said belt lifting position to engage and remove said belt from said pulley and stress said resilient means, means mounting said hook means for movement outwardly of said pulley to arrange the removed belt beyond the end of said pulley, and said stressed resilient means thereafter urging said hook means and removed belt to return to said relaxed position to support the removed belt in relaxed condition for connection of the converter with said port.

2. A suction cleaner comprising a body, a nozzle in said body, suction creating means in said body, an air passageway between said nozzle and suction creating means, means defining a port in said air passageway for connecting a converter to said suction creating means, surface agitation means movably mounted in said nozzle, a pulley, a belt in said air passageway connecting said pulley and agitating means, a motor driving said pulley and said suction creating means, manually operated hook means having a relaxed belt supporting position between said pulley and agitator and a belt lifting position farther from said agitator, resilient means biasing said hook means to its said relaxed belt supporting position, a cover movably mounted on said body to open and close said port, guide means on said cover for bodily displacement of said hook means transversely of said pulley from said belt relaxed position to said belt lifting position to remove said belt from said pulley and stress said resilient means, said cover when moved toward open position shifting said hook means outwardly of said pulley to arrange said removed belt beyond the end of said pulley, and said stressed resilient means thereafter urging said hook means and removed belt to return to said relaxed position to support the removed belt in relaxed condition.

3. A suction cleaner as described in claim 2, and latch means movable with said hook means to unlock said cover after lifting said belt from said pulley.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,332,235 Staples Mar. 2, 1920 1,726,592 Spanel Sept. 3, 1929 2,149,138 Gasner Feb. 28, 1939 2,322,223 Coss June 22, 1943 2,538,464 MacFarland Jan. 16, 1951 2,616,115 Dayton Nov. 4, 1952 2,616,117 Frere et al. Nov. 4, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 138,433 Great Britain Feb. 20, 1920 620,771 Great Britain Mar. 30, 1949 

